Nuffield STEM Projects

Nuffield 11-14 cross-curricular STEM Projects encourage students to develop the skills to explore questions in depth using science, mathematics and design & technology. The projects are set in authentic STEM contexts which leads to a better understanding of how these disciplines (along with engineering) work together in the real world.

This collection includes two projects:

• Nuffield STEM Futures challenges students to rethink a future in which humans can thrive in spite of the global threats of increasing population and resource depletion. Students realize that by mimicking closed loop systems in nature it could be possible to plan a prosperous and waste free future for all.

• Nuffield STEM Games explores some of the fundamental principles that make games fun to play and exciting to watch.

Students investigate the impact of rules, scoring, equipment and training in order to invent a exciting new game of their own. Both of these projects are divided into themed modules called 'pods'. In the preliminary pods students are explicitly taught a set of learning skills focusing on information retrieval, communication, planning, modeling and teamwork. These skills help them to develop a STEM ‘fluency’ as they navigate between the knowledge, skills and understanding that make up the individual STEM subjects.

In the final pod groups draw on these skills in order to identify a key question, plan research and explain their findings. Both STEM projects conclude with an exposition where groups present their findings and reflect on their learning. This collection includes the power points that drive the learning in each of the pods. The full set of resources including video clips, animations, teachers' notes, students' sheets and CPD modules is available free at the Nuffield Foundation STEM Projects site.

Resources

This project allows students to think positively and creatively about different visions of the future. The activities are designed to celebrate human ingenuity rather than apportion blame or induce guilt. Specifically students are challenged to rethink a sustainable future based on the principles of closed loop...

This project allows students to consider the nature of games and sports in depth. What are the characteristics of games that make them enjoyable to play and watch? How can games be redesigned for different participants and different occasions? How can kit and equipment be designed to improve performance?Students...